7:30pm: Voices of Hope & Northern Spirit Singers Concert
Sunday 8th March 2026 - Lenten Season: The Third Sunday of Lent
11:00am: Parish Eucharist
6:00pm: Choral Evensong - Sung by St John’s College Choir, Durham University
Tuesday
2:00pm: Tea and Talk at the Institute
Wednesday
9:00am: Oasis
10:00am: Midweek Holy Communion
7:00pm: Durham University Concert Band Concert
Saturday
7:30pm: Durham University Palatinate Ensemble Concert
Sunday, 15th March 2026 - Lenten Season: The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday); Mothering Sunday
11:00am: Parish Eucharist
6:00pm: Choral Evensong
***Please see the Calendar of services attached.***
***Please see also David’s Music Notes attached.***
Deanery Confirmation Service 2026: The Confirmation Service this year will be on Saturday 6th June at 6:00pm at St Nics, Durham. Please let Peter know if you would like to be Confirmed or indeed Baptised and Confirmed at this service. It will be taken by Bishop Frank White.
Parish Magazine: All regular subscribers should now have received their copies of the latest issue ("Lent and Easter") - even allowing for any postal delays!
Many thanks to all who have already returned their subscription forms and payment for the whole of 2026, and extra special thanks to all those who have so generously included extra donations towards magazine costs - particularly welcome this year as we've just learned of a price increase for the printing. Thank you all very much.
Some extra copies are still available from the back of church, as usual, priced £2.00 each.
Lent Outreach Appeal 2026: Our Lent Outreach Appeal this year is in aid of Cornerstone Supported Housing & Counselling Ltd, a small local registered charity dedicated to tackling the causes of homelessness. The appeal will run from Sunday 8th March to Sunday 12th April.
Cornerstone’s approach is very practical and hands-on. It runs a furniture-making and vocational training unit in Willington, and has units in Bishop Auckland and Hartlepool which act both as community hubs and selling outlets for the furniture it makes at Willington. Its team of volunteers work on the streets and through the community hubs to help homeless people find support and emergency accommodation.
It was suggested to the Outreach Committee by our parishioner Nick Storey, who has been impressed by the work of its volunteers on the streets of Bishop Auckland. A display about its work is now on the welcome boards at the back of Church, with information on how to donate (note that Cornerstone is not at present registered for gift aid, as its small team has put all their initial drive into developing the range of services it offers).
Cheques should be made payable to Cornerstone Supported Housing & Counselling Ltd. They may be placed in an envelope labelled St Oswald’s Easter Homelessness Appeal and left in the Institute secure letterbox (across the road from the church) or placed in the collection plate at a Sunday morning Parish Eucharist.
Two Events at Durham Cathedral: Attached is information about the celebration of St Cuthbert’s Day and the Farewell Service for Bishop Sarah.
Durham Churches Together - Trip to Lindisfarne: Durham Churches Together is hoping to organise a day trip to Lindisfarne, on Saturday 6th June this year, similar to those run, pre-Covid, by Churches Together in Elvet & Shincliffe. A decision depends on enough participants at a price not exceeding £20 per head for the coach. If you would be interested please let Boyd Sims-Williams or Stevie Taylor know as soon as possible. ([email protected], [email protected]).
Upcoming Concerts in Church: On Saturday 7th March, we host Voices of Hope & Northern Spirit Singers (collaboration, part of Durham Vocal Festival 2026); starts 7:30pm.
On Wednesday 11th March, we host Durham University Concert Band; starts 7:00pm.
On Saturday 14th March, we host Durham University Palatinate Ensemble; starts 7:30pm.
On Tuesday 17th March, we host Durham University Classical Ensemble; starts 7:00pm).
Foodbank - Weekly Message from Lynda Delf: On 1st March, there was £10.00 and 10kg of food collected in Church, and a Parishioner donated 6kg and £10.00; this will provide meals for 20 people.
On 22nd February, 8kg of food was donated In February you generously gave 47kg of food and £85. Thank you so much for all you do to support our local food banks.
This week our shortages include sugar, jam, rice, coffee, teabags, kettle food such as noddles and instant soup, tinned meat, potatoes, tomatoes, fish, rice pudding and fruit. We always need long life milk and fruit juice as well as household cleaning materials, nappies and toilet rolls.
On 22nd February, 8kg of food was collected in Church; this will provide 10 meals.
In February, parishioners donated 47kg of food and £85.00. Thank you so much for everything you do to support our food banks. Many thanks.
For your Prayers: Amongst the sick please pray for Fleur Coppock, Angie Robley and Carol Simmons.
Of your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Chloe May RIP, Margaret Adams’ grand-daughter who died of an epileptic seizure aged 25; of Trevor Jones RIP; and of Susan Liddle RIP. Susan’s funeral will be at Durham Crematorium on Wednesday 18th March at 3:30pm.
With All Good Wishes and Prayers, Peter
The Reverend Peter Kashouris
St Oswald's Vicarage, Church Street, Durham [email protected]